Origin
Altoona, IA
Afternoon in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to Marshalltown, IA
Drive Time
55m
Distance
42.5 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Iowa Midwest, the 42.5-mile journey from Altoona to Marshalltown is a straightforward trip that takes about 55 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route functions perfectly as a simple day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating between these two cities involves a series of local roads rather than major interstates, providing a direct transition between these regional hubs. It is an ideal choice if you need a reliable, efficient connection without the complexity of a long-distance haul.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
21.3 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway-share sections. You will spend the bulk of your time on Northeast Hubbell Road, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 33.9 miles. The remainder of the trip transitions through West Lincolnway and Marshalltown Boulevard, requiring you to stay alert for frequent turns. Because the entire 42.5-mile distance consists of local roadways, the pace is dictated by local traffic patterns rather than high-speed highway cruising. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and navigation require your full attention throughout the hour-long commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northeast Hubbell Road is the longest continuous segment at about 33.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,055 ft
812 ft
Total Climb
546 ft
Total Descent
561 ft
Highest Point
1,055 ft
~30.2 mi in
Elevation Range
243 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near 1st Avenue North.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Altoona, IA to Marshalltown, IA is easy. At 55m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (1st Avenue North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1 miles (1st Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 65; IA 330 / Northeast Hubbell Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
1st Avenue North
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
1st Avenue North
Straight onto 1st Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 65; IA 330 / Northeast Hubbell Road
Turn right onto US 65; IA 330 / Northeast Hubbell Road
Navigation decision point
4
42 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
42.5 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
IA 14 / North 3rd Avenue
Turn left onto IA 14 / North 3rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 33.9 mi | 39m |
| West Lincolnway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Grant Street South | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 3rd Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Northeast Hubbell Road
— 33.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and Marshalltown, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue South
2
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Continue on 1st Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 72nd Street
5
Continue on Grant Street South
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Street South
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on Grant Street South
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grant Street South
7
Turn right onto US 65; IA 330
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
8
Continue on Marshalltown Boulevard
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
9
Continue on West Lincolnway
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
West Lincolnway
10
Continue on West Madison Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Madison Street
11
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South 3rd Street
12
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
13
Turn left onto IA 14
103 ft
·
1 sec
·
North 3rd Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
IA 14
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 55-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the trip is brief enough that you likely won't need a formal rest stop, keep in mind that the route relies entirely on local roads, so traffic flow can vary significantly compared to a highway drive. With a fuel budget of $6, you should easily reach your destination on a single tank of gas without needing to search for stations mid-trip. Make sure your navigation is set for the specific sequence of Northeast Hubbell Road, West Lincolnway, and Marshalltown Boulevard before you leave Altoona. Taking this route during off-peak hours will help you maintain a consistent pace as you navigate the turns.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 21.3 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42.5 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.3 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marshalltown, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altoona, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 42.5 miles and 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Altoona, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Northeast Hubbell Road for about 33.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.3 mi from Altoona, IA · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.3 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Marshalltown, IA
The final approach into Marshalltown, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Marshalltown, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.46 one way
$12.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.12 | $14.23 |
| premium | $4.80 | $8.02 | $16.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.46 | $2.04 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.72 | $1.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17 | 0 | $5.95 | $2.72 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Marshalltown, IA
Afternoon in Marshalltown on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altoona, IA to Marshalltown, IA covers 42.5 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northeast Hubbell Road, West Lincolnway, Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.3 miles from Altoona, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Altoona, IA to Marshalltown, IA is easy. At 55m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (1st Avenue North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1 miles (1st Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 65; IA 330 / Northeast Hubbell Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Altoona, IA to Marshalltown, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 812 ft to 1,055 ft elevation with about 546 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Marshalltown, IA
More trips to Marshalltown, IA
Explore more options from Altoona, IA or browse trips ending in Marshalltown, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Altoona, IA or Marshalltown, IA on MapSof.net.